Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a wire mesh laminate includes wrapping a central core with multiple layers of mesh screen and a barrier layer having a higher melting point than the mesh screen to form a spool assembly. The spool assembly is then surrounded by an outer cover and is heated to sinter or fuse together the layers of mesh screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lumen support stent with a clear through-lumen for use in a body lumen. The stent is formed from at least one series of sliding and locking radial elements and at least one ratcheting mechanism comprising an articulating element and a plurality of stops. The ratcheting mechanism permits one-way sliding of the radial elements from a collapsed diameter to an expanded diameter, but inhibits radial recoil from the expanded diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lumen support stent for use in an artery or any body lumen. The stent is formed from a plurality of ladder elements having elongated ribs bowed to define a circumferential arc of the tubular member and end rungs affixed to the elongated ribs. The elongated ribs of adjacent ladder elements are substantially parallel to one another and slidably engaged by the end rungs of adjacent ladder elements. Sliding of the end rungs along the circumferential arc defined by the engaged ribs creates a variable circumferential distance between the end rungs of adjacent ladder elements. Consequently, the stent has a first diameter in which the circumferential distance between end rungs of adjacent ladder elements is collapsed, and a variable second diameter in which the circumferential distance between end rungs of adjacent ladder elements is expanded.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent may be maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent is maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to angioplasty catheters and more particularly, to a proximal balloon bond on an extended shaft comprising an irradiated biocompatable thermoplastic jacket having a necked down distal end with the proximal end of a balloon heat bonded to the distal end of the jacket. In an alternative embodiment the catheter has an irradiated biocompatable thermoplastic jacket having a necked down distal end with the proximal end of a balloon heat bonded to the distal end of the jacket and a core wire extending throughout the jacket and throughout the balloon. In yet another alternative embodiment, the catheter has an irradiated biocompatable thermoplastic jacket having a necked down distal end with the proximal end of a balloon heat bonded to the distal end of the jacket as well as a sleeve defining a guidewire lumen, the sleeve extending longitudinally and exterior to the jacket and balloon.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter is disclosed which is comprised of two jacketed spring coils placed end-to-end and joined by a linking element which contains a lumen communicating between the inflation lumens formed by the two spring coils. A side port entry to a guidewire lumen, which extends through the distal coil to the distal end of the catheter, is located in the transition region formed by the linking element. The linking element may include two polyimide tubes or may be a multilumen insert. The catheter is stiffened by a core wire which is bonded directly to the spring coils. A catheter comprised of a single spring coil with a side port entry in the coil is also disclosed, and a method and apparatus for crimping the coil to create the entry.

Abstract: An improved balloon catheter is disclosed which is comprised of two jacketed spring coils placed end-to-end and joined by a linking element which contains a lumen communicating between the inflation lumens formed by the two spring coils. A side port entry to a guidewire lumen, which extends through the distal coil to the distal end of the catheter, is located in the transition region formed by the linking element. The linking element may include two polyimide tubes or may be a multilumen insert. The catheter is stiffened by a core wire which is bonded directly to the spring coils. A catheter comprised of a single spring coil with a side port entry in the coil is also disclosed, and a method and apparatus for crimping the coil to create the entry.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the magnitude of heart muscle contractions has two ultrasonic transceivers, both of which are disposed in sonic alignment on selected points of the heart. A digital counter electrically interconnects the transceivers with a digital microprocessor. The counter determines a pulse transit time which corresponds to the difference in time between the transmission of a sonic pulse from the transmitter and the reception of the sonic pulse by the receiver. Immediately after determining each pulse transit time, the counter sends the transit time signal to the microprocessor, which first filters the signals to reject any signal which indicates a heart size that is unreasonably large or small. After filtering, the transit times are averaged in groups of a predetermined number and then converted to corresponding heart size measurements for storage and display.